Author Archives: LJones

Jesus wasn’t the only physician in His day.  In his letter to the Colossians Paul calls Luke, the writer of the gospel bearing his name, a doctor (Colossians 4:14).  In Mark 5:26 we are told a woman with a blood … Continue reading →

The Physician Jesus is the greatest healer ever to walk the earth.  He stopped leprosy in its tracks, restored sight, and made the lame to walk.  He even raised the dead! Matthew 4:23 reads, “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in … Continue reading →

I like to think of Jesus’ parables as “say for example” theology, rounding out our understanding of how we practically apply truth in our daily lives.  This is, to a great degree, how the parables were presented in the first … Continue reading →

Tales of the Kingdom Since the parables describe kingdom behavior, if we view them collectively we can begin to paint a mental image of kingdom life.  If we are in Christ our reality is a place where people have accepted … Continue reading →

The parable that convicts me most is often called the “Parable of the Unforgiving Servant.”  It is found in Matthew 18:21-35 and has a way of reminding us all we have short memories.  The parable was a response to Peter’s question, … Continue reading →

Disillusioned or Deluded? Which group do you identify with in Jesus parables: the one that was tired of empty religious rhetoric or the one that was convinced of its own righteousness?  Don’t answer too quickly. I believe most of us … Continue reading →

A couple of years ago, during a spiritual emphasis sermon series, I encouraged our church family to carry a twenty-dollar bill with them and give it to someone in need when the opportunity arose.  Twenty-dollars posed a significant stretch for those … Continue reading →

Some stories become classics because they capture human nature in its truest form and provide windows into history’s transitions.  For example, Ernest Hemmingway’s novel, “The Old Man and the Sea” became a monumental capstone at the end of his literary … Continue reading →

This “something else” for Jesus was His Father’s kingdom.  His stories were called “parables”, which bring two things alongside one another for contrast or comparison.  In the case of Jesus’ teachings, eternal truths were brought alongside human experiences to drive His point … Continue reading →

The Story Teller I love stories.  We all do.  The question of why we love them is an interesting one. We love a good story because stories imitate life.  The reason books and movies move us is because they allow … Continue reading →